Getting into photography, can you please help me find gear that suits my needs?

[hRob]

Hey guys,

So I have been very very interested in photography for the past 7 years. But up until now, I have only had digital cameras. Simple point and shoots. The last camera that I had was the awesome Sony DSC H3. I took a LOT of photos with it to the point that I broke the camera! Now that I have started earning some money(hooray PhD!) I would like to buy a proper DSLR and a good lens. Here is where I would like to ask the awesome POTN people for some advice. So here goes.

I will tell you a bit about the kind of photographs that I like and I like to take. All of my photographs usually have to follow some theme or tell some story. Second, I LOVE photos that have a shallow DoF. I simply adore them because they separate out the subject from the background in ways that your normal eye never does. Oh and also, I love bokeh (I mean who doesnt!). I dont do much of street photography because erm well I never really have tried it out and thats not something that intrigues me. I love to do portrait shots and even more than that I love to do long exposure shots. I feel like long exposure shots are an art form in itself. To me thats one of the most expressive forms of photography. So thats about it I guess.

To tell you more about the gear that I want to buy. My budget is between 1000 and 1500 euros. This is including the lens and the body. From what I have been reading, people say kit lenses are bad and that I need to get my own lens if I want to take good photographs. I am guessing this is true to a certain respect because I have seen this literally EVERYWHERE. So the combination that I was thinking of was a Canon 60D + 50mm f1.4 or 85mm f1.8. I want to get a canon body because my house mate also has a canon(well he has a canon 7d ) and a tamaron lens for it. He is also saving up to buy the awesome 70-200 L lens. So if I get a canon then we can reuse lenses amongst ourselves.

It would be great to hear your thoughts on this. I also want to get a prime lens, because for the kind of DoF I am looking for, the zoom lenses are out of my price range. I know what the different focal lengths mean but how do these lenses(50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8) compare. For the kind of shots I am looking for, which one would be suited better? From whatever I have read, the 85mm's focus is a bit too far away. Everywhere I see people keep talking about the 50mm and how great of a lens it is because its neither too close nor too far away. For a better DoF which of these two focal lengths would be better? Is it usually the case that longer the focal length, better the DoF? Or does it depend on the maximum aperture? If I am not wrong, its a combination of both isnt it? I cannot go for an L lens because it is out of my price range. So please dont tell me to buy that : ( Are there any other lenses that I am not considering that would perhaps be a better fit for my needs? If so, do they fall into the budget of 1.5k euros(this is including the camera body)? Also, would you recommend getting them first hand or second hand? I personally prefer buying them new because this is something that I want to keep with me forever and use frequently.

Any extra details/information/gyan/tips/advice would be very much appreciated : )
Thanks a million!

[mtimber]

With your budget.

650d + kit + shorty 40 + 55 - 250mm + Yongnuo flash 565ex.

That will cover most basic photography needs whilst you figure out what direction you are going in.

[Tc202]

t2i, 17-55 f2.8, 55-250

[watt100]

550D, 55-250IS, Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vc, Yonguo YN565

[sambarino]

Please allow me to highly recommend the Canon 60D, for one simple reason. Ergonomics. It just handles better than the Rebels. It will handle a lot like your buddies 7D. The Rebels are very good cameras, also. You can get the 60D for $800 from Canon refurbished. That leaves you almost as much for lenses. Get some simple, inexpensive lenses until you figure out exactly what you want. I would start with 18-55 (if it comes with the camera), 50 1.8, 55-250. That will leave a few dollars left over for accessories like a bag, remote release and a decent starter tripod. Happy shooting!

[joedlh]

In addition to what the others recommended, you will want a selection of neutral density filters and a tripod and remote release for those long exposure shots.

[hRob]

mtimber, Tc202, watt100 : thank you very much for the suggestions. I want to google for image galleries from these lenses and see if I like it. Thats what I did with the canon EF series lenses. I will do that and I will make an informed decision! Thanks for the input! : )

[hRob]

Originally Posted by sambarino

Please allow me to highly recommend the Canon 60D, for one simple reason. Ergonomics. It just handles better than the Rebels. It will handle a lot like your buddies 7D. The Rebels are very good cameras, also. You can get the 60D for $800 from Canon refurbished. That leaves you almost as much for lenses. Get some simple, inexpensive lenses until you figure out exactly what you want. I would start with 18-55 (if it comes with the camera), 50 1.8, 55-250. That will leave a few dollars left over for accessories like a bag, remote release and a decent starter tripod. Happy shooting!

I actually really like the 7D especially for this reason. I mean it fits nicely and the grip I have feels really great. I can get the 60D for 750 euros from digitalrev. Also, there is the new 650D that has come out. Would you consider that better or worse than the 60D?

[hRob]

Originally Posted by joedlh

In addition to what the others recommended, you will want a selection of neutral density filters and a tripod and remote release for those long exposure shots.

Thanks for the suggestion! My buddy has an ND filter which is 72mm diameter. So maybe I will buy an adapter corresponding to the lens I get. I have a tripod with me already so that wont be an issue : ) Regarding the remote release, would you suggest a wireless over wired? I somehow always think that people with wired releases might mess up their shot if they tug on it a bit too hard..

[MikeFairbanks]

My recommendation is to buy the 24-105L. That lens can do almost anything.

Then buy an inexpensive body like a new T2i (if you can find one), the T3i or T4i.

[sambarino]

Originally Posted by hRob

I actually really like the 7D especially for this reason. I mean it fits nicely and the grip I have feels really great. I can get the 60D for 750 euros from digitalrev. Also, there is the new 650D that has come out. Would you consider that better or worse than the 60D?

For video, the 650D, hands down. For stills, I believe it still comes down to ergonomics. The 60D will handle better. The 650D uses a newer processor, so you may notice a bit better noise performance if you shoot at ISO 3200+. AF systems are the same. 60D is only a small bit faster in burst mode (5.3 vs. 5 fps). Both can control external Canon flash guns. One thing I do not like about the 60D is that you need two thumbs in action to chimp. Rebels only need one thumb in action to chimp. This is a really minor issue.

My choice would be the 60D. I own a Rebel (500D); I just prefer the way the 60D handles. You know what a 7D feels like. The Rebels are much smaller, and have no rear-control dial. You have to press a button while turning the front wheel to access EC/Aperture controls. It works just fine, it is just not as easy, or as quick, as the rear control dial.

[modchild]

I have a 60D and a 5D3, but leaving the 5D3 aside, the 60D is a great camera. The AF is very good on it, as is the noise handling. The ergonomics are excellent and it's easy to set up and use. The wife uses a 650D and the main features of that are very similar to the 60D, the video AF system is great and the touchscreen is very responsive and a joy to use.

[kMatt]

Although this is a bit over your budget, I think you would be quite happy with this

60D, although the 550D and 600D have the same sensor, the ergonomics are muuch better
Sigma 17-50 f/2.8, Great fast and sharp walk around lens for crop and it has IS
Canon 85mm f/1.8, BOKEH! It's also one of the best portrait lenses you can buy

If you needed to cut down on the price a little you could substitute the 60D for a 550D or 600D, and substitute the Sigma for a Tamron 17-50 (although I've heard the AF is quite slow and noisy).

[hRob]

@sambarino : thank you very much for your help! As suggested by you, modchild and kmatt the 60D seems to be the most logical choice here! Thanks!! Will keep this in mind! : )

@modchild : Thanks for your inputs! I definitely dont think I can even dream about the 5D3 for atleast a few years now : D btw, I see you have a "gripped" version of these cameras.. what exactly does that mean?

@kMatt : Indeed, this seems a bit out of my range : ) What purpose does te 17-50 serve? I mean, what is the intended use of this lens? Also, you suggested the 85mm f1.8. Does this mean this is more bokehlicious than the 50mm f1.4? I am only asking because both of them are the same price : )

[sambarino]

hRob: You seem to be a bit unfamiliar with lens focal lengths and their uses. There are 'most common' uses for all focal lengths. In reality, what focal length you use for which purpose is completely up to you and your photographic creativity. You can use a 10mm for a portrait, or a 500mm for landscape. What you do with any particular lens is your choice. Many here could recommend one or two good books on the matter. If you need background, go ahead and read them. A better way to gain this knowledge is to buy a zoom lens and shoot it at different focal lengths, apertures, and distances. Practice. Learn by doing; it will stick with you longer. And YOU will know YOUR equipment better. Pick up a cheap Canon zoom, 18-55, or 18-135, or perhaps something cheap off of e-bay. See what you, and the lens, can do. When you want to DO something that is not possible with the equipment you have, YOU will KNOW what you WANT. Don't spend a lot of money on lenses you think you need. Voice of experience here. If you play in the used Canon L market, you can use a lens for a year and maybe get your money back.